Julia Ann Cassells

Julia Ann Cassells, age 72, a resident of Elkins, WV- formerly of Fayetteville, WV- passed away peacefully on March 28th, 2024 after a short battle with cancer. She is survived by her mother Virginia Marie Cassells, her daughter Cree Lahti, son-in-law Kevin Stitzinger and grandson Mateus Stitzinger. She is also survived by her brother Steve Cassells and his wife Lori, her brother Jim Cassells, and her sister Naomi Cassells along with many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. She is proceeded in death by her father, Donald Mark Cassells.
Julia was born in Chicago, IL on January 9, 1952 and spent her formative years in Detroit, MI. She graduated from Cody High School and attended Albion College in Albion, MI. She was active in the theater as a teenager and young adult, performing at the Henry Ford Museum Theater and in many college productions. Shakespeare was a personal favorite throughout her life. Julia moved to Floe, WV in 1974 and shared a pottery business with Keith Lahti. She moved to Fayetteville, WV in the early 1980's and was one of the first female raft guides to work on the New and Gauley Rivers. She worked in the rafting industry for over a decade, for Class VI, North American River Runners and in the management of New & Gauley Expeditions. She continued her love of theater in Fayetteville with many productions at the Fayette Historic Theater. She also loved books and art and was the founder and owner of Trillium Books & Crafts in Fayetteville. Additionally, she was an artist herself and had a home pottery studio. The second half of her career was as an appraiser, which took her down many beautiful WV backroads to view properties. She worked with Toler Appraisal in Beckley, WV before starting her own business, Cassells Real Estate Appraisal. In 2010 she moved to Elkins, WV. In Elkins she was an active member and officer of the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Elkins Bookhounds Friends of the Library, and the Emma Scott Garden Club.
Most of all Julia loved spending time with her family and friends. They will miss her cookouts, conversation and homegrown tomatoes.
Julia's request for cremation was honored and a memorial service will be held at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins, WV on Saturday, April 27th at 3:00 PM, followed by a reception at Graceland Inn on the Davis and Elkins College campus at 4:00 PM. Donations in leu of flowers may be made to the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church or the Elkins Bookhounds Friends of the Library.